5 Schools producing minds who change the health landscape

06 Nov 2017

In an ever-progressing technological world, healthcare remains an industry that needs people to power and propel it forward.

With 24 percent of health problems currently being caused by worsening environmental conditions, and the global aging population forecasting a growth of 1.6 billion by 2050, the global health industry faces an unprecedented strain.

Healthcare is responding to this change through industry digitisation. From apps helping mothers-to-be read and interpret contractions, to robots replacing surgeons in complex and lengthy operations, health-tech is undoubtedly a vision of the future. Harnessing the potential to grant hundreds of thousands of patients with 24-hour access care from a singular app or machine, technology relieves pressure on already stretched health services.

From the outside, it may seem like the need for health professionals has lowered in-line with emerging technologies. But the phrase, ‘there is no smoke without fire’ rings true for the healthcare business; behind the shift in health service allocation, there must be market influencers who lead the global change.

We live in an increasingly online world, and it seems that healthcare is no different. For example, 21.1 million people bought fitness watches last year alone, meaning that an exponential amount of health data is being generated with no signs of slowing down. The way people engage with their health is also changing. Coded algorithms are now trusted as much as health professionals, and with this change, the health industry must respond. Health going digital means that a much wider skillset can be utilised for progression. Not only are medical experts needed, but innovative thinkers who can streamline medical procedures through tech and interpret the data collected are also in-demand.

The digitising of the industry provides students with the exciting opportunity to revolutionise the way international healthcare is allocated. As it is still evolving, today’s students have the chance to create a blueprint for how the future healthcare will look. The frameworks developed today will serve as the foundation for the complex health-tech of tomorrow, making it a dynamic and malleable industry to join.

This is why universities now offer courses that consider the sociological and computer science aspect of healthcare, alongside more traditional medicine, pharmacology and nursing courses. Institutions have responded to changes in market trends, by recognising the need to offer health-related degrees, rather than just health degrees.

If you’re looking to enter the health industry, here are 5 leading universities you should consider…

FACULTY OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES (UNSW) – AUSTRALIA

UNSW is ranked one of the Top 100 Universities in the World by The Times Higher Education, with its medical faculty being particularly renowned, also standing amongst the Top 50 Medical Schools in the World according to QS.

Located in Sydney, arguably the most exciting and dynamic city in Australia, there’s no better place to undertake undergraduate, postgraduate or research-level study, especially if you’re considering the Masters in Health Data Science; a course that will impart a comprehensive skillset for future leaders of the digital health sector, focussing on: the comprehension of complex health issues, data wrangling and management, machine learning and data mining, statistical modelling, and communication – including data visualisation.

Students are taught at The Centre for Big Data Research in Health. This is Australia’s first research centre dedicated to health research using big data, giving students the opportunity to see the use of data in healthcare in action.

FACULTY OF LIFE SCIENCES & MEDICINE, KING’S COLLEGE LONDON (KCL) – UK

London has always been at the forefront of change, so it is no surprise that the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine at KCL is a leader in health industry changes, often providing breakthrough research within the global sector.

Offering a range of undergraduate courses – such as Medicine, Molecular Genetics BSc, Neuroscience MSci or Anatomy, Developmental & Human Biology BSc – and postgraduate courses -such as Public Health, Imaging Sciences or Specialist Training for Medical Professionals – The Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine offers every angle of health that you could want to study.

“Students within the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine unrivalled educational resources including the Gordon Museum which is the largest pathology museum in the UK,” notes the faculty. Its state of the art facilities, teamed with its leading research developments earnt the faculty 16th place in the QS World University Ranking by Subject 2017.

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, KAROLINSKA INSTITUTE – SWEDEN

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, the Department of Medicine at the Karolinska Institute offers world class medical and biomedical degrees for primarily undergraduate, but also postgraduate and PhD-level students.

The school excels in cardiovascular diseases, inflammation with focus on allergy, rheumatic disorders, skin diseases and infections. Courses include Clinical Science, Bachelor of Biomedicine, Master of Biomedicine and Master of molecular science in life sciences.

There is a strong focus on research within the department, with 42 research groups operating in 12 divisions – such as Calculation Medicine and Experimental endocrinology – within the department.

“One of the institution’s strengths is proximity to patients, with good access to patient samples from well-characterized patients. By conducting basic research of spearhead in a clinical environment, there are excellent opportunities for integrating basic research and patient-related research,” said the university.

All of this makes the Karolinksa Institute one of the most exciting places to study medicine, placing you beside the industry’s leading academics, an opportunity that simply can’t to be missed!

Drew Hayes

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG – CHINA

With Hong Kong being such a dynamic and exciting city, it’s not surprising that its Department of Medicine is also known for its progression of the health world. Ranked 30^th in QS World University Ranking by Subject 2017 for medicine, the department is renowned for its unique, global outlook.

The immensely diverse student body of more than 30,000 students, including 9,000 international students from 104 countries, and the connection to 340 campuses in 43 countries landed the university 3^rdon QS’s ranking for international outlook. This gives students a global perspective that’s essential to being influential in the global health industry of the future.

The department offers undergraduates programmes in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) which educates students through traditional lectures and experience with patients. Postgraduate students can also embark on study programmes that are areas of interest within the department, like Cardiology or Neurology.

FACULTY OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO (U of T) – CANADA

Ranked in the Top 10 worldwide by QS World Rankings, the University of Toronto boasts 26 departments in different strands of medicine from anaesthesia to surgery, so whatever area of health you’re interested in, you will find it here.

The impressive range of health expertise at U of T means students receive the well-rounded health education that is so crucial to the dynamic health market we are now in. All divisions within the faculty offer undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees, so every participant benefits from the influence of recognised industry experts.

“We’re pleased to see the breadth and depth of the research programs offered at the University of Toronto once again globally recognized for their excellence across the board,” says Vivek Goel, U of T’s Vice President of Research and Innovation.

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International